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Latching apparatus and methodRelated Patent Categories: Handling: Hand And Hoist-line Implements, Grapple, Collar-engagingLatching apparatus and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070222244, Latching apparatus and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application relates to a latching mechanism. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to a latching mechanism for lifting and lowering containers. [0002] In industrial applications, operators find it necessary to lift containers. Many times, the containers are located in remote areas. For instance, in the offshore energy industry, boats ferry equipment to platforms located many miles from shore. As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the seas can get quite rough. Generally, the containers will be positioned on the aft deck of the boat. In order to offload the equipment, a platform crane is used to lift the containers from the boat deck onto the platform. [0003] Prior art devices requires the use of a ball hook, which is attached to the cable. A deck hand is required to attached the ball hook onto the containers. Sometimes, the ball hook is attached to a set of slings. As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, attaching the ball hook onto the slings is a dangerous endeavor since the boat may be rocking due to wind and/or waves. For instance, in 10 foot seas, the boat may be traveling vertically as much as 20 feet since the boat will ride the crest of the wave to the trough of the wave. However, the ball hook is not moving in unison with the boat since the crane is mounted on the platform. Additionally, in some applications, the crane may be mounted on floating platform. Therefore, the potential for injury to the deck hand is high due to the logistics of rigging up and rigging down the ball hook to the container. [0004] Therefore, there is a need to have an apparatus and mechanism that allows quick and safe latching and unlatching onto containers. There is also a need that will allow for the lifting containers. There is also a need for a device and method that allows for containers on vessels to be safely loaded and/or offloaded. These needs, and many others, will be met by a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A latching apparatus for lifting and lowering loads is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a prong having a protuberance at a first end and a receiving receptacle configured to receive the first end of the prong. In one preferred embodiment, the receiving receptacle comprises a body having a central passage, a plurality of jaws arranged about the central passage, and biasing means for biasing the jaws to extend into the central passage and engaging the protuberance. The biasing means may comprise a spring having a first end engaging the jaws and a second end engaging an internal portion of the body so that the jaws are biased toward the central passage. [0006] The latching apparatus may further comprise an activation disc for disengaging the jaws from the protuberance. In one preferred embodiment, the jaws have a pin extending therefrom; and wherein the activation disc contains a plurality of cam surfaces that engage the pin of the jaws. Additionally, the body may comprise a first section that is attached to a second section, and wherein the second section contains the jaws and the activation disc, and wherein the first section is configured to abut and align the plurality of jaws. [0007] The latching apparatus may further comprise a handle mounted through the body so that the handle has an exterior portion and an internal portion, and wherein the handle has a projection that engages the activation disc so that movement of handle creates movement of the activation disc. The latching apparatus may further comprise an alignment skirt attached to the body, and wherein the alignment skirt has a conical shape, and wherein the alignment skirt is configured to direct the prong into the central passage. [0008] In one embodiment, the spring is disposed about an indicator pin, and the indicator pin extends through an aperture in the body when the jaw inserts are disengaged from the protuberance. Also, the latching mechanism may further comprise a jaw insertion device for engaging the jaw inserts from the aperture within the body. [0009] A method of latching onto a container is also disclosed. The method includes providing a prong having a protuberance at a first end, and wherein the prong is attached to the container, and wherein the protuberance has a neck portion formed thereon. The method further comprises providing a receiving receptacle configured to receive the first end of the prong, the receiving receptacle comprising: a body having a central passage; a plurality of jaws arranged about the central passage; and, a spring having a first end engaging the jaws and a second end engaging an internal portion of the body so that the jaws are biased into the central passage. The method further includes lowering the receiving receptacle so that the protuberance enters the central passage, engaging the protuberance with the jaws, and compressing the spring. The method further includes opening the jaws while continuing to lower the receiving receptacle, allowing the jaws to close about the neck portion, and latching the protuberance with the jaws. [0010] In one preferred embodiment, the receiving receptacle has attached a cable, and the method further comprises pulling on the cable to lift the container. Also, in one preferred embodiment, the receiving receptacle further comprises an activation disc for disengaging the jaws from the protuberance, and wherein the method further comprises turning a handle which rotates a projection on the handle and engaging the projection with the activation disc so that rotation of the projection causes rotation of the activation disc. Next, the activation disc is rotated and the pin on the jaws is engaged with a cam surface on the activation disc via the rotation of the activation disc. Next, the spring is compressed, and the jaws are expanded and released from the protuberance, thereby unlatching the receiving receptacle from the prong. [0011] Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, the prong has a cylindrical body and the first end of the jaws is curved, and wherein the step of latching the protuberance with the jaws includes engaging the curved end of the jaws about the cylindrical body of the prong. Also, a funnel may extend from the body, and wherein the step of lowering the receiving receptacle includes guiding the jaws onto the prong with the funnel. [0012] An advantage of the present invention is the ability to connect and disconnect quickly and safely. Another advantage is that the present apparatus can offload equipment from floating vessels. Still yet another advantage is that the receptacle can be latched onto the prong without the need to have a person directly operating the latch. In other words, the apparatus can be lowered from a platform on a cable, and the prong can be attached to a container on a boat deck, and due to the design, the receptacle can be latched onto the prong by having the crane operator lower the skirt onto the prong without having an individual on the deck of the boat. Still yet another advantage is the ability to remotely control the handle means in order to turn the handle [0013] A feature of the present invention is a fishing neck type of prong that is configured to engage with the jaw mechanism. A feature of the jaw mechanism is the multiple inserts that are used to engage with the prong. Another feature is the jaw mechanism is a spring loaded latch mechanism which allows entry of the prong, and thereafter, captures the prong. Yet another feature is the disc activation device that is used to unlatch the apparatus from the prong. Still yet another feature is the skirt that serves to funnel the prong into the jaw mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the latching mechanism as the receiving receptacle is being lowered. [0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the most preferred embodiment latching mechanism that includes the receiving receptacle and the prong. [0016] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the jaws and activation disc of the most preferred embodiment. [0017] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the activation disc seen in FIG. 3. [0018] FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the cam surface of the activation disc seen in FIG. 4. [0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 7. [0020] FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away view of the handle means of the latching mechanism corresponding to the jaws being in the contracted position. [0021] FIG. 8 is a sequential partial cross-sectional view of the jaws and activation disc with the jaws being in the expanded, open position. Continue reading about Latching apparatus and method... Full patent description for Latching apparatus and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Latching apparatus and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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